Server network and method for determining an amount of exposure of an image attached to receipts

ABSTRACT

A server network includes a central server and store servers. Each of the store servers is connected to one or more receipt printers. The central server selects one or more store servers to which image data of an image to be added to a receipt are distributed, and transmits the image data along with condition data to the selected store servers, which are then distributed to receipt printers. Receipt printers that received the image data print one or more receipts with the additional image upon the conditions being met, and transmit content data of each printed receipt to the corresponding store server. Each of the selected store servers generates a receipt issue log based on the content data, and transmits receipt issue logs that accumulated therein to the central server. The central server calculates an amount of exposure of the additional image based on receipt issue logs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/657,967, filed on Jul. 24, 2017 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,178,244 on Jan. 8, 2019, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-151507, filed on Aug. 1, 2016, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a server system and a method for determining an amount of exposure of an image attached to receipts.

BACKGROUND

In the related art, when retail stores such as supermarkets sell items of merchandise to customers, the retail stores issue receipts on which details related to transactions thereof are printed. In the related art, the receipts are also used as output media of advertising content, and so technologies for distributing advertising content to devices that issue the receipts have been developed.

Incidentally, in order to carry out such advertisement technique on a large scale, it is necessary for a large number of different stores operated by a plurality of different companies to implement technology to add the advertisement to receipts to be issued.

However, each company and further each local store may issue receipts in different manners, and also attach the advertising content in a different manner or according to a different policy. With so much variation in how the advertising content is displayed on a receipt, it is difficult to track how much of the receipt area is being used for the advertising content.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example a distribution system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a distribution server.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a store table.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of an issuance device table.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of an additional information table.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of an addition schedule table.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of an issuance result table.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a user terminal.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a store server.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an issuance device.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the devices of the distribution system.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example a data structure of distribution information.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt to which the additional information is added.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example sequence of operations of a distribution process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example sequence of operations of a setting process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example sequence of operations of an issuance process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example sequence of operations of a calculation process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment provides a server device and a program capable of efficiently tracking how much of the receipt area is being used for the advertising content.

In general, according to an embodiment, a server network includes a central server and a plurality of store servers connected to the central server over a wide area network. Each of the store servers is locally connected to one or more receipt printers over a local area network. The central server is configured to store image data of an additional image in association with an identifier of the additional image and conditions on which the additional image is printed on a receipt, select one or more store servers to which the image data are distributed, and transmit the image data along with condition data indicating the conditions to the one or more selected store servers, such that the image data and the condition data are distributed to one or more receipt printers that are locally connected to the one or more selected store servers and meet the conditions. Each of the receipt printers that received the image data and the condition data is configured to print one or more receipts with the additional image based on the received image data, upon the conditions being met, and transmit content data of each printed receipt to the one of the one or more selected store server that is locally connected to the receipt printer. Each of the one or more selected store servers is configured to generate a receipt issue log including an identifier of each receipt in association with the identifier of the additional image based on the content data, and transmit one or more receipt issue logs that accumulated in the store server to the central server. The central server is further configured to calculate an amount of exposure of the additional image based on receipt issue logs received from all of the one or more selected store servers.

Hereinafter, a server device and a program according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is one embodiment of the server device and the program, and it should be understood that there are other embodiments of the server device and the program.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example a distribution system 1 according to an embodiment. The distribution system 1 includes a distribution server 10, user terminals 20, and store systems 30. The distribution server 10, the user terminal 20, and the store system 30 are connected via a distribution network 40 such as the Internet or a virtual private network (VPN).

The distribution server 10 is a server device. The distribution server 10 distributes additional information, such as an advertisement to be added to a receipt, to each of the store systems 30 (store servers 50 described below). The distribution server 10 is not limited to one server device, and may be a server device group. When the distribution server 10 is the server device group, functions of the distribution server 10 may be distributed among the server devices of the group. When the distribution server 10 is the server device group, various information items stored in the distribution server 10 may be distributed among and may be stored in the server devices.

The user terminal 20 is an information processing device such as a computer or a smart phone used by an administrator of the store system 30.

The store system 30 is a system established in a store of a retail store such as a supermarket. Each store system 30 includes a store server 50 and issuance devices 60. The issuance device 60 and the store servers 50 are connected via a store network 70 such as a VPN.

The store server 50 is a computer that manages the issuance devices 60 belonging to the store system 30.

The issuance device 60 is a device that issues printed matter (e.g., receipt) on which a transaction content related to one transaction is printed. For example, the issuance device 60 is a point of sales (POS) terminal, a kiosk terminal that provides various information items to a customer in the store, a receipt printer that prints a receipt, a self-service POS terminal that allows the customer in person to read merchandise, or a measurement device that issues a receipt with a measurement of a weight of the merchandise and a price in accordance with a measurement value.

The issuance device 60 also registers a service or merchandise as a sales target related to one transaction. The issuance device 60 issues a receipt on which transaction content related to one transaction such as a total price of the registered merchandise or service is printed. In the embodiments, the issuance device 60 issues a receipt to which the additional information is added based on a condition for adding the additional information to the receipt.

Hereinafter, hardware configurations of various devices included in the distribution system 1 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the distribution server 10. The distribution server 10 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a communication interface 103, a display unit 104, and an operation unit 105. The control unit 101, the storage unit 102, the communication interface 103, the display unit 104, and the operation unit 105 are connected to each other through a system bus 106.

The control unit 101 controls the entire operation of the distribution server 10, and carries out various functions of the distribution server 10. The control unit 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM). The CPU generally controls the operation of the distribution server 10. The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs or data. The RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and various data items. The CPU executes the program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 102 while using the RAM as a work area.

The storage unit 102 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 102 stores a control program 107, a store table 108, an issuance device table 109, an additional information table 110, an addition schedule table 111, and an issuance result table 112. The store table 108, the issuance device table 109, the additional information table 110, the addition schedule table 111, and the issuance result table 112 may not be stored in the distribution server 10, and may be stored in another server device.

The control program 107 includes a program executed by the CPU to carry out the functions of the distribution server 10, as disclosed herein, and an operating system.

The store table 108 stores information related to each store. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the store table 108. As shown in FIG. 3, the store table 108 stores store codes, company codes, store attributes, store server codes, and one or a plurality of issuance device codes, such that these codes are associated with each other. The store code is identification information capable of identifying the store. The company code is identification information capable of identifying a company that operates the stores. The store attribute is information indicating an attribute of the store. For example, the store attribute is a location or a business type and business category. The location is information indicating a place where the store is located. For example, the location is an address of the store. The business type and business category is information indicating a business type or a business category of the store. For example, the business type and business category is a supermarket, a convenience store, grocery retailer, or a restaurant business. The store table 108 is not limited to the store attribute such as the location or the business type and business category, and may store other attributes of the store. The store server code is identification information for identifying the store server 50 provided in the store. The issuance device code is identification information capable of identifying each of the issuance devices 60 provided in each store.

The issuance device table 109 stores information related to the issuance device 60. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the issuance device table 109. As shown in FIG. 4, the issuance device table 109 stores issuance device codes, device types, manufacturer codes, device model codes, versions, and print specifications such that these information items are associated with each other.

The issuance device code is identification information for identifying the issuance device 60. The device type is a type of the issuance device 60. For example, the device type is a POS terminal, a kiosk terminal, a receipt printer, a self-service POS terminal, or a measurement device that is also capable of issuing a receipt. The manufacturer code is information indicating a company that manufactures the issuance device 60. The device model code is identification information capable of identifying a model of the issuance device 60. The version is information indicating a change stage of the issuance device 60. The print specification is a size or a resolution. The size is information indicating a size of a region of the receipt in which the additional information can be printed. That is, the size is information indicating sizes of the region in which the additional information can be printed in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The resolution is the density of dots with which the additional information is printed. The issuance device table 109 is not limited to the print specification such as the size or the resolution, and may store another print specification. In the present embodiment, the issuance device table 109 stores the print specification. The print specification is not limited to be stored in the issuance device table 109, and may store the print specification in another data table.

The additional information table 110 stores and manages the additional information as a distribution target. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the additional information table 110. As shown in FIG. 5, the additional information table 110 stores additional information codes, on-specification-basis codes, additional information items, and print specifications such that these information items are associated with each other. The additional information code is identification information for identifying the additional information.

The additional information table 110 stores a plurality of additional information items, each having a different print specification for one additional information code. More specifically, the additional information table 110 may store a plurality of additional information items of which contents to be printed on receipts are the same but print specifications are different, or may store a plurality of additional information items of which the advertisement is for the same merchandise but words or images of the advertisement are different from each other. The on-specification-basis code is identification information for identifying each additional information item for each print specification.

The additional information may be image data or character data, and the content of the additional information is not limited. For example, the content of the additional information may be advertisement, may be a coupon, or may be a four-frame cartoon. The print specification is a print specification of the issuance device 60 that is to add the additional information and print the added additional information. More specifically, the print specification includes a size or a resolution. The size is information indicating a size of a region in which the additional information is to be printed on the receipt. That is, the size is information indicating the sizes of the additional information to be printed on the receipt in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. The resolution is the density of dots with which the additional information is to be printed. The additional information table 110 is not limited to the print specification such as the size or the resolution, and may store a different print specification of the additional information.

The addition schedule table 111 stores a schedule at which the additional information will be added to the receipt in each store. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the addition schedule table 111. As shown in FIG. 6, the addition schedule table 111 stores dates, time periods, device types, addition conditions, and additional information codes such that these information items are associated with each other. The date is information indicating a date when the additional information is allowed to be added. The time period is information indicating a time period when the additional information is allowed to be added. The device type is a type of the issuance device 60. For example, the device type may be the POS terminal, the kiosk terminal, the receipt printer, the self-service POS terminal, or the measurement device that issues the receipt. The device type may be set such that a specific type of devices is not designated. The addition condition is a condition for adding the additional information. Any condition may be set as the addition condition. For example, the addition condition may be an attribute of the customer such as a gender or an age. The addition condition may be merchandise purchased in one transaction, the number of pieces of merchandise purchased, or a total cost. When the merchandise is set as the addition condition, for example, the additional information is added under a condition in which specific merchandise is purchased. When the number of pieces of merchandise purchased or the total cost is set as the addition condition, for example, the additional information is added under a condition in which the number of pieces of merchandise purchased or the total cost is equal to or greater than a threshold. The addition condition may be a member of a specific organization. When the member is set as the addition condition, for example, the additional information is added under a condition in which a membership code of a membership card is presented. The addition condition is not limited to one type, and may be plural in number. The additional information code is information indicating additional information to be added to the receipt under a condition in which the addition condition is satisfied for the receipt issued in the time period of the date when the additional information is added.

The issuance result table 112 stores an issuance result of the receipt to which the additional information is added for each store. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the issuance result table 112. As shown in FIG. 7, the issuance result table 112 stores transaction codes, issuance dates and times, store codes, and detailed additional information items such that these information items are associated with each other. The transaction code is identification information for identifying each transaction. That is, the transaction code is identification information for identifying each receipt. The issuance date and time is information indicating a date and time when the receipt is issued. The store code is a store code indicating a store at which the issuance device 60 that issues the receipt is located. The detailed additional information is information indicating the details of the additional information which is added to the receipt and is issued. The detailed additional information stores the additional information code, an addition position, and a length such that these information items are associated with each other. The additional information code is an additional information code indicating the additional information added to the receipt. The addition position is information indicating a position of the additional information added to the receipt. The length is a length of a portion of the receipt where the additional information is printed.

The communication interface 103 is an interface for communicating with a device connected to the distribution network 40.

The display unit 104 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. The display unit 104 is not limited to the liquid crystal display, and may be, for example, an organic EL display device.

The operation unit 105 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The operation unit 105 receives an operation for the distribution server 10.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 includes a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a communication interface 203, a display unit 204, and an operation unit 205. The control unit 201, the storage unit 202, the communication interface 203, the display unit 204, and the operation unit 205 are connected to each other through a system bus 206.

The control unit 201 controls the entire operation of the user terminal 20, and carries out various functions of the user terminal 20. The control unit 201 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU generally controls the operation of the user terminal 20. The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs or data. The RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and various data items. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 202 while using the RAM as a work area.

The storage unit 202 is a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 202 stores a control program 207. The control program 207 includes a program executed by the CPU to carryout the functions of the user terminal 20, as disclosed herein, and an operating system.

The communication interface 203 is an interface for communicating with a device connected to the distribution network 40.

The display unit 204 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. The display unit 204 is not limited to the liquid crystal display, and may be, for example, an organic EL display device.

The operation unit 205 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The operation unit 205 receives an operation for the user terminal 20.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the store server 50. The store server 50 includes a control unit 501, a storage unit 502, a communication interface 503, a display unit 504, and an operation unit 505. The control unit 501, the storage unit 502, the communication interface 503, the display unit 504, and the operation unit 505 are connected through a system bus 506.

The control unit 501 controls the entire operation of the store server 50, and carries out various functions of the store server 50. The control unit 501 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU generally controls the operation of the store server 50. The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs or data. The RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and various data items. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 502 while using the RAM as a work area.

The storage unit 502 is a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 502 stores a control program 507. The control program 507 includes a program executed by the CPU to carry out the functions of the store server 50, as disclosed herein, and an operating system.

The communication interface 503 is an interface for communicating with a device connected to the distribution network 40 or the store network 70.

The display unit 504 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. The display unit 504 is not limited to the liquid crystal display, and may be, for example, an organic EL display device.

The operation unit 505 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The operation unit 505 receives an operation for the store server 50.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the issuance device 60. In the present embodiment, an example in which the issuance device 60 is the POS terminal will be described. The issuance device 60 includes a control unit 601, a storage unit 602, a communication interface 603, a first display unit 604, a second display unit 605, an operation unit 606, a printer 607, a card reader and writer 608, and a scanner 609. The control unit 601, the storage unit 602, the communication interface 603, the first display unit 604, the second display unit 605, the operation unit 606, the printer 607, the card reader and writer 608, and the scanner 609 are connected to each other via a system bus 610.

The control unit 601 controls the entire operation of the issuance device 60, and carries out various functions of the issuance device 60. The control unit 601 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU generally controls the operation of the issuance device 60. The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs or data. The RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and various data items. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 602 while using the RAM as a work area.

The storage unit 602 is a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 602 stores a control program 611. The control program 611 includes a program executed by the CPU to carry out the functions of the issuance device 60, as disclosed herein, and an operating system.

The communication interface 603 is an interface for communicating with a device connected to the store network 70.

The first display unit 604 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) device in which touch panel is overlaid on a display surface. For example, the first display unit 604 displays various screens for a salesperson of the store. The second display unit 605 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) device in which a touch panel is overlaid on a display surface. For example, the second display unit 605 displays various screens for a salesperson of the store.

The operation unit 606 is an input device such as a keyboard. The operation unit 606 may be a touch panel overlaid on the first display unit 604 or a touch panel overlaid on the second display unit 605.

The printer 607 issues a receipt by printing a transaction content related to one transaction on a predetermined sheet. The card reader and writer 608 scans a card in order to read card information from the card. The scanner 609 optically reads code information from a code symbol such as a barcode assigned to merchandise brought by the customer.

Hereinafter, functions of the respective devices of the distribution system 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing functional configurations of the respective devices of the distribution system 1.

The control unit 101 of the distribution server 10 loads the control program 107 stored in the storage unit 102 into the RAM, and is operated according to the control program 107 to implement the respective functional units shown in FIG. 11 in the RAM. Specifically, the control unit 101 of the distribution server 10 includes, as functional units, a communication control unit 1001, a store management unit 1002, an additional information registration unit 1003, a schedule registration unit 1004, a target extraction unit 1005, a distribution information generation unit 1006, a distribution control unit 1007, an issuance result collection unit 1008, and a rate calculation unit 1009.

The communication control unit 1001 controls the communication interface 103 to communicate with a device such as the user terminal 20 or the store server 50 connected to the distribution network 40. The communication control unit 1001 also controls the communication interface 103 to communicate with a device such as the issuance device 60 connected to the store network 70 through the store server 50.

The store management unit 1002 functions as a management unit of the present embodiment. The store management unit 1002 manages information related to the store. That is, the store management unit 1002 manages the store table 108 and the issuance device table 109. For example, when a store is newly added, the store management unit 1002 adds the new store to the store table 108. When an issuance device 60 is newly added, the store management unit 1002 adds the new issuance device code of the issuance device 60 to the store table 108.

The additional information registration unit 1003 registers additional information to be distributed in the additional information table 110. The additional information registration unit 1003 may register the additional information generated in the distribution server 10 in the additional information table 110. For example, the additional information registration unit 1003 may register the additional information received by the communication control unit 1001 from an external device in the additional information table 110. The additional information registration unit 1003 may also register the additional information input from an external device through a connection interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface in the additional information table 110.

The schedule registration unit 1004 sets a schedule at which the additional information is allowed to be added to the receipt or condition for adding the additional information to the receipt, in the addition schedule table 111. That is, the schedule registration unit 1004 sets for each date, the time period when the additional information is allowed to be added, the device type of the issuance device 60 to which the additional information is added, the addition condition based on which the additional information is to be added, and the additional information for each addition condition. The schedule registration unit 1004 may register the schedule in the addition schedule table 111 based on inputs received through the operation unit 105. The schedule registration unit 1004 may register the schedule or the condition in the addition schedule table 111 based on information received by the communication control unit 1001 from the external device. The schedule registration unit 1004 may register the schedule or the condition in the addition schedule table 111 based on information input from the external device through the connection interface such as the USB interface. The schedule registration unit 1004 may register the dates, the time periods, the device types, and the addition conditions, or some subset thereof.

The target extraction unit 1005 extracts the store server 50 of the store system 30 that satisfies the designated extraction condition from the store table 108, as the store server 50 that transmits the additional information. Any condition may be set as an extraction condition. For example, the extraction condition may be the company code, the store attribute, and a combination thereof. The target extraction unit 1005 may extract the store servers 50 of the plurality of stores corresponding to different company codes under a condition in which the extraction condition is appropriate. The target extraction unit 1005 may extract the store server 50 of the store the location of which is included in a designated region irrespective of the company code under a condition in which a specific location is designated as the extraction condition. The target extraction unit 1005 extracts the store server 50 of the store of which business type and business category is the restaurant irrespective of the company code under a condition in which the restaurant is designated as the extraction condition.

The distribution information generation unit 1006 generates distribution information to be distributed to each store server 50 extracted by the target extraction unit 1005 in cooperation with the distribution control unit 1007. The distribution information includes the issuance device code, the time period when the additional information is allowed to be added to the receipt, and the addition condition set in the addition schedule table 111, e.g., gender, age. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the distribution information. The distribution information is stored such that the issuance device code, the time period, the addition condition, and the additional information are associated with each other. The issuance device code is information indicating the issuance device 60 that is to add the additional information to the receipt. The time period is information indicating the time period when the additional information is allowed to be added to the receipt. The addition condition is information indicating the condition based on which the additional information is added to the receipt.

The issuance device 60 adds the additional information to the receipt in accordance with the time period, and the addition condition set forth in the distribution information. It should be noted that the issuance devices 60 of different device types add different additional information items to the receipts according to their device types. For example, the issuance devices 60 having different device types add different additional information items to the receipts according to their print specification, such as the size of the printable receipt or the printing resolution.

The distribution information generation unit 1006 generates the distribution information according to the device type for each issuance device 60 of each store system 30 extracted by the target extraction unit 1005. More specifically, the distribution information generation unit 1006 extracts the issuance device code associated with the store code of the store system 30 as a distribution destination in the store table 108. The distribution information generation unit 1006 extracts the device type of the extracted issuance device code by comparing the extracted issuance device code with the issuance device code of the issuance device table 109. The distribution information generation unit 1006 extracts the print specification of the issuance device code of the issuance device 60 from the issuance device table 109, as the extracted distribution destination. The distribution information generation unit 1006 selects the additional information item appropriate for the extracted device type and print specification from the additional information table 110.

The distribution information generation unit 1006 may generate the distribution information by various methods. For example, the distribution information generation unit 1006 may set the additional information to be appropriate for the print specification of the issuance device 60 by converting the additional information having the additional information code set in the addition schedule table 111 into the additional information appropriate for the print specification of the issuance device 60. More specifically, the distribution information generation unit 1006 extracts the additional information code set in the addition schedule table 111. The distribution information generation unit 1006 extracts the print specification of the issuance device 60 as the distribution destination from the issuance device table 109. The distribution information generation unit 1006 converts the additional information having the extracted additional information code into the additional information appropriate for the print specification of the issuance device 60. For example, the conversion of the additional information means that the size of the print specification of the additional information is increased or decreased. Accordingly, the distribution information generation unit 1006 generates the distribution information appropriate for the device type and the print specification. The process of converting the additional information into the additional information appropriate for the extracted print specification is not limited to be performed in the distribution server 10, and may be performed by the store server 50 or the issuance device 60.

The distribution control unit 1007 functions as a distribution unit of the present embodiment in cooperation with the communication control unit 1001. The distribution control unit 1007 controls the communication control unit 1001 to transmit the distribution information generated by the distribution information generation unit 1006 to the store server 50 extracted by the target extraction unit 1005. Each store server 50 that receives the distribution information distributes the additional information to the issuance device 60 having the issuance device code designated in the distribution information.

Specifically, the distribution control unit 1007 causes the target extraction unit 1005 to extract the store server 50 under a condition in which a predetermined distribution condition is satisfied. When the condition is satisfied, the distribution control unit 1007 causes the distribution information generation unit 1006 to generate the distribution information. The distribution control unit 1007 causes the communication control unit 1001 to transmit the generated distribution information to the extracted store server 50. Any condition may be set as the distribution condition. For example, the distribution condition may be a predetermined time, or may receive an operation for instructing the distribution of the distribution information. The distribution destination of the distribution information is not limited to the store server 50, and may be the issuance device 60. The distribution control unit 1007 may designate a specific store code or company code, and may transmit the distribution information. When the store code is designated, one or a plurality of issuance devices 60 provided in the store having the designated store code is a target. When the company code is designated, one or a plurality of issuance devices 60 provided in one or a plurality of stores operated by a company having the designated company code is a target.

The issuance result collection unit 1008 functions as a collection unit in the present embodiment. The issuance result collection unit 1008 stores the issuance result in the issuance result table 112 under a condition in which issuance result information (e.g., receipt issue log) indicating the issuance result of the receipt to which the additional information transmitted from the store system 30 is added is received by the communication control unit 1001. More specifically, the issuance result collection unit 1008 collects the issuance result information generated by an additional information counting unit 5003 to and stores the collected issuance result information in the issuance result table 112. That is, the issuance result collection unit 1008 collects the issuance result of the receipt to which the additional information is added from the issuance device 60 through the store server 50.

The rate calculation unit 1009 functions as a calculation unit in the present embodiment. The rate calculation unit 1009 calculates an insertion rate of the additional information at which the receipt to which the additional information is added is issued for each store. More specifically, the rate calculation unit 1009 calculates the insertion rate of the additional information added to the receipt based on the issuance result stored by the issuance result collection unit 1008 in the issuance result table 112.

The rate calculation unit 1009 calculates a rate (fee) by various methods. For example, the rate calculation unit 1009 calculates the rate in accordance with the issuance result of the additional information added to the receipt. More specifically, the rate calculation unit 1009 calculates the rate in accordance with the number of issued receipts to which the additional information is added. The rate calculation unit 1009 calculates the rate in accordance with the issuance result of the additional information and a unit price per unit quantity. The rate calculation unit 1009 calculates the rate in accordance with a length of a portion of the receipt where the additional information is printed.

The rate calculation unit 1009 may distribute the insertion rate of the additional information according to the number of issued receipts to which the additional information is added to each store. In this case, the rate calculation unit 1009 calculates the rate of each store according to a ratio of the number of issued receipts of each store to the total of issued receipts issued in each store of the distribution system 1.

The rate calculation unit 1009 may calculate the rate according to the total of the lengths of the portions of the receipts where the additional information is printed. In this case, the rate calculation unit 1009 calculates the rate according to a unit price per predetermined unit length and the total of the lengths of the additional information printed on the receipts issued in the store.

The rate calculation unit 1009 may calculate the rate at a different unit price in accordance with a print form of the additional information in the receipt. For example, the rate calculation unit 1009 calculates the rate at a different unit price according to the length of the printed additional information. The rate calculation unit 1009 calculates the rate at a different unit price according to a print position of the printed additional information.

The control unit 201 of the user terminal 20 loads the control program 207 stored in the storage unit 202 into the RAM, and is operated according to the control program 207, to implement the respective functional units shown in FIG. 11 in the RAM. Specifically, the control unit 201 of the user terminal 20 includes, as functional units, a communication control unit 2001, a display control unit 2002, and an operation control unit 2003.

The communication control unit 2001 controls the communication interface 203 to communicate with a device such as the distribution server 10 or the store server 50 connected to the distribution network 40. The communication control unit 2001 controls the communication interface 203 to communicate with a device such as the issuance device 60 connected to the store network 70 through the store server 50.

The display control unit 2002 controls the display unit 204 to display various information items. The operation control unit 2003 controls the operation unit 205 to receive various user operations.

The control unit 601 of the issuance device 60 loads the control program 611 stored in the storage unit 602 into the RAM, and is operated according to the control program 611, to implement the respective functional units shown in FIG. 11 in the RAM. Specifically, the control unit 601 of the issuance device 60 includes, as functional units, a communication control unit 6001, an operation control unit 6002, an addition setting unit 6003, an issuance control unit 6004, and a sales registration unit 6005. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the issuance device 60 is a POS terminal.

The communication control unit 6001 controls the communication interface 603 to communicate with a device such as the store server 50 connected to the store network 70. The communication control unit 6001 controls the communication interface 603 to communicate with a device such as distribution server 10 or the user terminal 20 connected to the distribution network 40 through the store server 50.

The operation control unit 6002 controls the operation unit 606 to receive various user operations.

The addition setting unit 6003 stores the distribution information included in a received setting request in the storage unit 602 under a condition in which the setting request of the distribution information is received by the communication control unit 6001. The addition setting unit 6003 sets the additional information included in the distribution information to be added to the receipt.

The issuance control unit 6004 controls the issuance of the receipt. More specifically, the issuance control unit 6004 generates receipt information to be printed on a predetermined sheet. The receipt information includes the transaction code, the store code, an issuance date and time, the transaction content, the additional information, and the detailed additional information. The transaction code is identification information of the transaction as an insertion target. When the receipt to which the additional information is not added is issued, the issuance control unit 6004 generates the receipt information including the transaction code, the store code, the issuance date and time, and the transaction content. The store code is information indicating the store that issues the receipt. The issuance date and time is an issuance date and time of the receipt. The transaction content is information indicating the transaction content as the insertion target. The additional information is additional information extracted by the issuance control unit 6004 from the distribution information. The issuance control unit 6004 extracts a time period appropriate for the time when the receipt is issued from the distribution information. The issuance control unit 6004 extracts the additional information associated with the addition condition received by the operation control unit 6002. The detailed additional information is information indicating the details of the additional information extracted by the issuance control unit 6004 from the distribution information. The detailed additional information includes the additional information code, the addition position, and the length. The additional information code is an additional information code of the additional information extracted by the issuance control unit 6004 from the distribution information. The addition position is information indicating a position where the additional information extracted by the issuance control unit 6004 from the distribution information is inserted. The length is information indicating the length of the additional information extracted by the issuance control unit 6004 from the distribution information. That is, the length is information indicating the length of the portion of the receipt where the additional information is printed. The issuance control unit 6004 issues the receipt by causing the printer 607 to print the generated receipt information on a predetermined sheet. The issuance control unit 6004 causes the communication control unit 6001 to transmit the receipt information to the store server 50 under a condition in which the receipt is issued.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the receipt to which the additional information is added. The receipt includes a transaction content print region 7001 and an additional information print region 7002. The transaction content print region 7001 is a region of the receipt where the transaction content is printed. The additional information print region 7002 is a region where the additional information is printed. Advertisement of merchandise X is printed and added in the additional information print region 7002 shown in FIG. 13. The additional information print region 7002 shown in FIG. 13 may be located under the transaction content print region 7001, or any other region of the receipt. The transaction content print region 7001 and the additional information print region 7002 may be separated from each other.

The sales registration unit 6005 controls a sales data process. That is, the sales registration unit 6005 registers the merchandise having the merchandise code received by the scanner 609, as merchandise as a sales target. The sales registration unit 6005 calculates a total amount of the merchandise registered as the sales target.

The control unit 501 of the store server 50 loads the control program 507 stored in the storage unit 502 into the RAM, and is operated according to the control program 507, to implement the respective functional units shown in FIG. 11 in the RAM. Specifically, the control unit 501 of the store server 50 includes, as functional units, a communication control unit 5001, an addition control unit 5002, and an additional information counting unit 5003.

The communication control unit 5001 controls the communication interface 503 to communicate with a device such as the distribution server 10 or the user terminal 20 connected to the distribution network 40. The communication control unit 5001 controls the communication interface 503 to communicate with a device such as the issuance device 60 connected to the store network 70.

The addition control unit 5002 requests the issuance device 60 having the issuance device code of the distribution information to add the additional information designated in the distribution information under a condition in which the communication control unit 5001 receives the distribution information. That is, the addition control unit 5002 causes the communication control unit 5001 to transmit the setting request including the distribution information to the issuance device 60. Here, when the receipt is issued, the setting request is to request the issuance device to set the additional information included in the distribution information to be added to the receipt that is to be issued.

The additional information counting unit 5003 counts the issuance result of the additional information of each issuance device 60 belonging to the store system 30. More specifically, the additional information counting unit 5003 generates the issuance result information (e.g., receipt issue log) indicating the issuance result of the additional information from the received receipt information under a condition in which the communication control unit 5001 receives the receipt information. The additional information counting unit 5003 generates the issuance result information by extracting the transaction code, the issuance date and time, the store code, and the detailed additional information from the receipt information. The additional information counting unit 5003 stores the issuance result information in the storage unit 502. The additional information counting unit 5003 performs this process on each issuance device 60 belonging to the store system 30. The additional information counting unit 5003 performs this process until a predetermined date and time.

The additional information counting unit 5003 causes the communication control unit 5001 to transmit the issuance result information stored in the storage unit 502 to the distribution server 10 under a condition in which the predetermined date and time arrives. The condition in which the distribution server 10 is transmitted is not limited to the predetermined date and time, and may be a transmission request from the distribution server 10.

Hereinafter, operations of the respective devices of the distribution system 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a distribution process performed by the distribution server 10 and the store server 50 of the distribution system 1 according to the embodiment.

The additional information registration unit 1003 of the distribution server 10 registers the additional information in the additional information table 110 (step S11). The schedule registration unit 1004 of the distribution server 10 registers the addition condition in the addition schedule table 111 (step S12).

The distribution control unit 1007 of the distribution server 10 determines whether or not the distribution condition in which the distribution information is distributed is satisfied (step S13). When the distribution condition is not satisfied (step S13; No), the distribution server 10 waits until the distribution condition is satisfied.

Meanwhile, when the distribution condition is satisfied (step S13; Yes), the target extraction unit 1005 of the distribution server 10 extracts the store server 50 to which the distribution information is to be distributed from the store table 108 (step S14).

The distribution information generation unit 1006 of the distribution server 10 generates the distribution information to be distributed to the extracted store server 50 (step S15). The communication control unit 1001 of the distribution server 10 transmits the generated distribution information to the store server 50 (step S16).

The communication control unit 5001 of the store server 50 receives the distribution information (step S21).

The store server 50 performs a setting process to be described below in cooperation with another device (step S22).

As above, the respective devices of the distribution system 1 end the distribution process.

Hereinafter, the setting process performed by the respective devices of the distribution system 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the setting process performed by the store server 50 and the issuance device 60 of the distribution system 1 according to the embodiment.

The communication control unit 5001 of the store server 50 transmits the distribution information received from the distribution server 10 to each issuance device 60 (step S31).

The communication control unit 6001 of the issuance device 60 receives the distribution information (step S41). The addition setting unit 6003 of the issuance device 60 sets the additional information included in the received distribution information to be added to the receipt (step S42).

As above, the respective devices of the distribution system 1 end the setting process.

Hereinafter, an issuance process performed by the issuance device 60 will be described. Here, FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the issuance process performed by the issuance device 60 according to the embodiment.

The operation control unit 6002 of the issuance device 60 receives an input of the addition condition (step S51). That is, the operation control unit 6002 receives, for example, an input of the attribute of the customer.

The issuance control unit 6004 of the issuance device 60 extracts the time period appropriate for the time when the receipt is allowed to be issued from the distribution information (step S52).

The issuance control unit 6004 of the issuance device 60 extracts the additional information associated with the addition condition appropriate for the attribute of the customer (step S53).

The issuance control unit 6004 of the issuance device 60 issues the receipt to which the additional information is added (step S54). The communication control unit 6001 of the issuance device 60 transmits the receipt information including various information items related to the issued receipt to the store server 50 (step S55). When the additional information is not added to the receipt in step S54, the communication control unit 6001 transmits the receipt information which does not include the additional information and the detailed additional information to the store server 50.

The communication control unit 5001 of the store server 50 receives the receipt information (step S61). When the additional information is not added to the receipt in step S54, the communication control unit 5001 receives the receipt information which does not include the additional information and the detailed additional information. When the additional information is not added to the receipt in step S54, the store server 50 does not perform the following process.

The additional information counting unit 5003 of the store server 50 generates the issuance result information (e.g., receipt issue log) indicating the issuance result of the additional information from the received receipt information (step S62). The additional information counting unit 5003 of the store server 50 stores the generated issuance result information in the storage unit 502 (step S63).

As above, the respective devices of the distribution system 1 end the issuance process.

Hereinafter, a calculation process performed by the respective devices of the distribution system 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the calculation process performed by the distribution server 10 and the store server 50 of the distribution system 1 according to the embodiment.

The additional information counting unit 5003 of the store server 50 determines whether or not a predetermined date and time have been reached (step S71). Under a condition in which the predetermined date and time have not been reached (step S71; No), the additional information counting unit 5003 waits until the predetermined date and time have been reached.

Under a condition in which the predetermined date and time have been reached (step S71; Yes), the communication control unit 5001 of the store server 50 transmits the issuance result information stored in the storage unit 502 to the distribution server 10 (step S72).

The communication control unit 1001 of the distribution server 10 receives the issuance result information (step S81). The issuance result collection unit 1008 of the distribution server 10 stores the received issuance result information in the issuance result table 112 (step S82).

The rate calculation unit 1009 of the distribution server 10 determines whether or not the issuance result information items are received from all stores of the distribution system 1 (step S83). Under a condition in which the issuance result information items are not received from all the stores (step S83; No), the distribution server 10 proceeds to step S81.

Under a condition in which the issuance result information items are received from all the stores (step S83; Yes), the rate calculation unit 1009 of the distribution server 10 calculates the rate of each store (step S84).

As above, the respective devices of the distribution system 1 end the calculation process.

As described above, in accordance with the distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment, the distribution server 10 manages the store table 108, the issuance device table 109, the additional information table 110, and the addition schedule table 111. The distribution server 10 distributes the additional information to the stores having the company codes of the store table 108. The distribution server 10 calculates the insertion rate of the distributed additional information for each store. Accordingly, the distribution server 10 can efficiently calculate the rate in accordance with the issuance result of the additional information actually issued or the number of actually issued additional information items in each store operated by each of a plurality of companies.

The program to be executed by each device according to the embodiment or a modification example is previously embedded into a storage medium (ROM or storage unit) of each device and is provided, but the program is not limited thereto. For example, the program may be in recorded as a file having an installable or executable format in a computer readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disk (DVD), and may be provided. The storage medium is not limited to a medium independent from a computer or an embedded system, and may include a storage medium that stores or temporarily stores a program which is delivered and downloaded by a LAN or the Internet.

The program to be executed by each device according to the embodiment or the modification example may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and may be provided by being downloaded via the network. Alternatively, the program may be provided or distributed via the network such as the Internet.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A server comprising: a communication interface connectable to a plurality of store servers over a wide area network; a memory in which image data of an additional image is stored in association with an identifier of the additional image and conditions on which the additional image is printed on a receipt; and a controller configured to: select one or more store servers to which the image data are distributed, transmit the image data along with condition data indicating the conditions to the one or more selected store servers via the communication interface, such that the image data and the condition data are distributed to one or more receipt printers that are locally connected to the one or more selected store servers and meet the conditions, and one or more receipts with the additional image are printed upon the conditions being met, receive, from the one or more selected store servers via the communication interface, one or more receipt issue logs, each of the receipt issue logs including an identifier of each receipt in association with the identifier of the additional image, and calculate an amount of exposure of the additional image based on the one or more receipt issue logs received from the one or more selected store servers.
 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the controller calculates the amount of exposure based on a total number of printed receipts that include the additional image.
 3. The server according to claim 1, wherein one of the one or more receipt issue logs indicates a length of the additional image that has been printed on a corresponding receipt, and the controller calculates the amount of exposure based on a total length of one or more additional images that have been printed on receipts.
 4. The server according to claim 3, wherein the one of the one or more receipt issue logs also indicates a printed position of the additional image, and the controller calculates the amount of exposure also based on the printed position of said one or more additional images that have been printed on receipts.
 5. The server according to claim 1, wherein when the controller selects a plurality of store servers, the controller calculates the amount of exposure with respect to each of the plurality of selected store servers.
 6. The server according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to calculate an amount of a monetary value for the exposure of the additional image, based on the amount of exposure.
 7. The server according to claim 1, wherein the controller selects the one or more store servers, based on at least one of a geographic location, an attribute, and an identifier of a store corresponding to each of the one or more store servers.
 8. The server according to claim 1, wherein the conditions include at least one of a time range, a type of receipt printers, attributes of customers, and a purchase amount.
 9. The server according to claim 8, wherein the attributes of the customers include at least one of gender, age, and a membership.
 10. The server according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to modify the image data so as to change a size and resolution of the additional image, and transmit the modified image data to the one or more selected store servers.
 11. A method for determining an amount of exposure of an image attached to receipts using a server connectable to a plurality of store servers over a wide area network, the method comprising: storing, in a memory of the server, image data of an additional image in association with an identifier of the additional image and conditions on which the additional image is printed on a receipt; selecting, with a controller of the server, one or more store servers to which the image data are distributed; transmitting, from a communication interface of the server to the one or more selected store servers, the image data along with condition data indicating the conditions, such that the image data and the condition data are distributed to one or more receipt printers that are locally connected to the one or more selected store servers and meet the conditions, and one or more receipts with the additional image are printed upon the conditions being met; receiving, from the one or more selected store servers via the communication interface, one or more receipt issue logs, each of the receipt issue logs including an identifier of each receipt in association with the identifier of the additional image; and calculating, with the controller of the server, an amount of exposure of the additional image based on the one or more receipt issue logs received from the one or more selected store servers.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the amount of exposure is calculated based on a total number of printed receipts that include the additional image.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein one of the one or more receipt issue logs indicates a length of the additional image that has been printed on a corresponding receipt, and the amount of exposure is calculated based on a total length of one or more additional images that have been printed on receipts.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the one of the one or more receipt issue logs also indicates a printed position of the additional image, and the amount of exposure is calculated also based on the printed position of said one or more additional images that have been printed on receipts.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein said selecting comprises selecting a plurality of store servers, and said calculating comprises calculating the amount of exposure with respect to each of the plurality of selected store servers.
 16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: calculating, with the controller of the server, an amount of a monetary value for the exposure of the additional image, based on the amount of exposure.
 17. The method according to claim 11, wherein said selecting comprises selecting the one or more store servers, based on at least one of a geographic location, an attribute, and an identifier of a store corresponding to each of the one or more store servers.
 18. The method according to claim 11, wherein the conditions include at least one of a time range, a type of receipt printers, attributes of customers, and a purchase amount.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the attributes of the customers include at least one of gender, age, and a membership.
 20. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: modifying, with the controller of the server, the image data so as to change a size and resolution of the additional image, the modified image data being transmitted to the one or more selected store servers. 